Most of us are lucky enough to be raised by caring parents who teach us moral values—one being not to hurt another person. Violence could lead to the horrific possibility of death. Killing one another is against the values of any society. And yet—war remains acceptable. It follows a history of war down through the ages. Some little boys play-fight with swords or guns. I'm unsure if this behavior is learned, expected, or part of their genetic structure. As a woman, I find aggression repugnant. We raise our children and then allow them to go to war. All the old reasons spring to mind: protect our country from conquers; stop an evil regime invading a defenseless country; support another country in their war effort. But what of the effects on our sons—the men who face the horrors of war?

www.telegraph.co.uk

In the old days after WW1 and WW2, returning soldiers didn't speak about their memories. Some fathers became silent men, supported by the mothers. Publicity wasn't the same back then. Maybe there were more physical consequences in the families, but they didn't reveal them. The news today tells of a significant increase in the number of UK veterans of the Afghanistan conflict seeking mental health treatment. The charity Combat Stress revealed the figures: 358 new Afghanistan veteran referrals in 2013, a 57% rise on the 228 in 2012. As UK forces prepare to leave the country, the figures will increase. In the past, veterans tended to wait an average of 13 years after serving before they sought help. This figure fell to an average of 18 months for Afghanistan veterans. The total caseload of more than 5,400 veterans across the UK was the largest in the charity's 95-year history.

veterans.ucsd.edu

Whether due to greater awareness of psychological trauma, or the reduced stigma of seeking help for mental health issues, the rise is appalling. And these hidden psychological wounds could get far worse if left untreated. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event such as military conflict, natural disasters or serious road accidents. Symptoms can include flashbacks, poor sleep and a change in mood. Only a small number of veterans relive the horrors they experienced on the front line. That is unacceptable. If left untreated, who knows how their hidden psychological wounds could tear their families apart? Another war is looming. When will humans live in peace with each other?

The rise in numbers seeking help if definitely due to increased acceptance of the issue.
War is horrible, sometimes it's necessary, or aggression wins, I suspect Russia's activities in Ukrain are the closest we have got for a long time to a war over invasion/expansion.

Most wars seem to be politically motivated, there is always a business/political benefit. Those wars are dressed up as defending the innocent, but plenty of innocents around the world are *not* defended, because there is no politcal/business gain in doing so. That stinks.

I was an anthropology major in college and I fear war will always be with us. And it isn't just the soldiers who are traumatized, it is the thousands and thousands of civilians, who don't even have military weapons at their disposal to protect themselves. The United States has a shabby record when it comes to supporting its vets, past and present.

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Francene Stanley:﻿Author﻿I use news items in my fantasy novels.

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